The Trumpeter

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thestoryteller
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The Trumpeter

Post by thestoryteller » Sat Oct 09, 2021 6:48 am

I had heard of the story of Ted Thompson some time back and it kept running through my mind so did a little research and wrote the following to preserve the memory.

THE TRUMPETER

How the going was tough in Gallipoli’s hills
as we faced the Turks every day.
No amenities there for the men to chill out
so we improvised in our own way.

Ted McMahon played his trumpet at night in the trench
which then gave him something to do.
While the Turks raised their hands above parapet walls
and they clapped as they loved it too.

They were war hardened men in the Gully that eve.
All awaiting the midnight attacks.
Gern’ral Monash arranged round the campfire they’d lit
a night concert to help us relax.

Then in time Ted McMahon put his trumpet to lips
and the Rosary rang out round the hill,
Though the Turks fired a barrage of rifles at first
soon the night went suddenly still.

How the trumpeter soothed all those war hardened breasts
and it caused them a moment to dwell
on the charm of the music and not on the war
yes the Trumpeter sure cast a spell.

Merv Webster
Some days your the pidgeon and other days the statue.

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